Assessing the genetic fidelity of somatic embryo-derived plantlets of finger millet by random amplified polymorphic DNA analysis.

Abstract

Finger millet [Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn.] is an important cereal because of its mineral-nutrition value. With the increasing demand, there is a pressing need to conserve it through biotechnological approaches. High-frequency somatic embryogenesis from seed-derived callus of E. coracana was developed on Murashige-Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with a combination of auxins [Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), 2,4-Dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2,4-D)] and cytokinins [6-Benzylaminopurine (BAP), kinetin (KN)] in different concentrations, ranging from 0.1 to 5.0mg L-1. Seeds cultured on this medium produced three different types of primary callus. Type I callus was very compact and dark brown, type II callus was light brownish and type III callus appeared whitish and light brown. All three types of calli had differential proliferation responses. Type II compact brown calli were obtained on the MS medium supplemented with 1.0 and 1.5mg 2,4-Dichlorophenoxy acetic acid L-1 and 0.5mg kinetin L-1. Friable yellowish embryogenic calli with a large number of somatic embryos were developed within 60days after being transferred to auxins and cytokinin (1.0 and 1.5mg 2,4-Dichlorophenoxy acetic acid L-1 and 0.5mg Kinetin L-1) along with 200mg casein hydrolysate L-1. Germination of somatic embryos on a half-strength MS medium supplemented with 0.1% Kinetin led to the development of healthy plantlets within 30days. Genetic fingerprinting using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) revealed high levels of genetic fidelity. The study provides methods and hormonal concentrations required to develop somatic embryos in E. coracana for its genetic improvement and conservation.